JOHANNESBURG - Former apartheid police commander Eugene de Kock, known as “Prime Evil”, is testifying before the TRC Cases Inquiry on Monday.
De Kock headed the notorious Vlakplaas unit near Pretoria, which was used to plan attacks on anti-apartheid activists. The unit was also linked to the torture, interrogation and killing of freedom fighters.
In 1996, De Kock was sentenced to two life terms in prison, plus 212 years, for six murders. His victims included askari Goodwill Sikhakane, members of the Nelspruit Five and ANC lawyer Bheki Mlangeni.
In 1997, De Kock applied for amnesty through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
The commission granted him amnesty for some offences but rejected applications for most others, finding insufficient political motivation.
De Kock was released on parole in 2015 after serving 19 years in prison.